Aim: Understanding the Philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

Greek Philosophers Search for Truth After Peloponnesian War, Athenians lost confidence in democratic government and questioned their value Philosophers (Lovers of Wisdom) base their philosophy on 2 assumptions 1) The Universe (land, sky, and sea) is put together in an orderly way and subject to absolute and unchanging laws. 2) People can understand these laws through logic and reason. 2

Socrates Socrates was critic of Sophists Sophists questioned people’s beliefs and ideas about justice and values Socrates was critic of Sophists Believed that absolute standards did exist for truth and justice Encouraged Greeks to question themselves and moral character 399 BCE- Socrates brought to trial for “Corrupting the youth of Athens” Condemned to death 3

Plato Student of Socrates Wrote The Republic Most famous work His vision of a perfect governed society In ideal society, all citizens would fall naturally into 3 groups: 1) Farmers and artisans 2) Warriors 3) Ruling class 4

Aristotle Questioned the nature of the world and of human belief, thought, and knowledge Invented method for arguing according to rules of logic Work provides basis of the Scientific Method used today Most famous pupil: Alexander 5